Tuscola's Glen Skrent attends leadership institute

TUSCOLA COUNTY — After recently graduating from the Sheriff Leadership Institute in Lansing, Tuscola County Sheriff Elect Glen Skrent has a new appreciation for the role he is about to assume.

"I'm very proud and humble to be a part of it (the institute's class)," Skrent said, who will take over as sheriff Jan. 1.Besides Skrent, there were 32 other newly-elected sheriffs who also took the class.It was the largest class the Sheriff Leadership Institute has had, according to Skrent.Skrent, who is a 37-year veteran of the sheriff's department, will replace Sheriff Lee Teschendorf, who retires at the end of the year after 43 years of service.Although Skrent has worked every facet of the sheriff's office — correction officer, road deputy, road sergeant, detective and undersheriff — and knew most of the information on the institute's program, he said he attended the institute because "continuing education is important."Skrent was first employed as a patrolman for the Cass City Police Department before was hired by the Tuscola County Sheriff's Department in 1978.When he takes office, Detective Bob Baxter will become the undersheriff of Tuscola County. Baxter started at the sheriff's department in 1994. He became a sergeant in 2005 and then detective/sergeant in 2013.